MajiesMom

I used a harness and a 40ft training lead. (Warning: If you have a big crazy dog running around attached to a 40ft lead with the other end in your hand, pay attention or you will get serious leash burn in your hands, it really hurts!) My fianc

Magic is 14.2 (she's really 3yrs old) and that's 5.7 years younger than the average dog age for Magic's breed, GSD. There was one thing for dog age costs: Aggressive behavior (she's dog aggressive :-? ). Thanks for sharing that. :)

What colour is her stools? Is she losing weight?

I am so sorry. :( I really don't think that would be a reason. Your vet even said it was the best decision. It would have been worse for him to suffer and even the specialist didn't know if it was going to help. What I meant by that comment was the dog is other wise healthy and surgery would do the trick. (Blastomycosis, a sever fungal infection that literally "rots" the organs - That's serious)

That's so cool Carol! I always want to do more for rescue, like you!!! :fadein: I help out when I can for German Shepherd rescue in my area but nothing big. I participated at fundrasing events and transported a dog. I've seen the dog (Nika) twice since I transported her, once at a GSRT car wash and when she came to my work a month ago. I love the feeling, though what I did was so little it helped bring her to her wonderful forever home.

[quote name='courtnek']might I ask what a vet would tell you that would prevent a rescue from being adopted? I got turned down a few times after Alex died, and I'm wondering if it's because of somethign the vet said...[/quote] I'm guessing it would be things like: did you have your animals vacc'd yearly, brought them in for their annual check ups, never had an animal PTS because of a costly illness - for instance you didn't have your 2yr old other wise healthy Lab PTS because $4000 for hip surgery wasn't something you wanted to pay and instead get a new dog. I think they would turn you down if the vet say's they've seen you go through a lot of dogs in a short period of time. I doubt they would turn you down for things like: your pet was overweight or had bad teeth and fleas one time.

1. About how many times do you take your dog/dogs out in a day? C. 4 times or more For potty I probably take Magic out 8-10 times a day because I smoke and Ryan is asthmatic so I smoke outside. Funny, I say "Wanna go for a smoke?" and Magic gets so excited and runs to the door because it means we're going outside. 2. About how long are you out with your dogs in a day? D. between 90 and 120 minutes I rarely let Magic out alone, only some times when I'm doing dishes in the kitchen and I can see her out the window, so most if not all her outside activities are with me. 3. What do you do to give your dog mental excersise (?? I have no idea what to call it... I guess the options explain it.) you can choose several ones. B. Train basic obedience (Come when called, heel, sit, lie down, etc.) C. Teach tricks D. Make up games that requires the dog to use its head. 4. What do you think of the dog "hobby" or whatever it can be called? A. Dogs are my life! Really, dogs are my life! I work with dogs, come home to a dog - do my doggie things with her and read a lot and talk about dogs on doggie BBs. I can never get sick of dogs or anything to do with dogs. They say people that have dogs live a lot longer than people that do not....I think I'm going to live forever then! LOL

That must be painful?! Sorry I don't know what that might be. Sounds like a vet trip though. 2 out of the 3 Westies (that I can think of) that board at my kennel have eye problems. One is 13 and the other is 15 I think? (Senoirs which is a factor). They both have some type of infection in their eye - they have to be cleaned at least twice a day with medication applied. I'm pretty sure the older one is blind. How old is your Westie?

[quote name='Kiwi']Hi Leslie, Thank god the last group of GSDs I watched, the judge turned his nose up at those dogs, and went for a more natural looking one :-?[/quote] That's cool! I hear a lot of other breeders and show people talk bad about GSDs because of the way they look and about their character. Their character/temperament hasn't got any better, they are so fearful and afraid of their own shadow and will jump at any noise or movement (actually I wonder how they can show dogs like that????) The illustrated version of the standard shows a much different dog then the ones in the show ring - the standard portrays a more sturdy dog with a good rear and straight back. That

[quote name='Kiwi'] Now when we do go into the ring, she does her own thing and will show herself, I only go, because she's not allowed in there by herself :-?[/quote] Am Showline GSDs I've found just stand like that. There is no way in hell I could get Magic to stack in a show pose because....well first, I'd have to cripple her. She has a straight back and with good structure might I add. :wink: I'm sorry but I hate to look at dogs standing on their hocks and with crunched up banana backs, yuck, have you seen the extremes?? It's too bad dogs are rarely breed for health rather than looks. If they put 1/2 as much effort into improving health instead of just crippling the breed for sake of a show ribbon, title, bragging rights or whatever...never mind off topic.

I just wrote a post about this. I started getting totally obsessed with dogs when I was 10yrs old. I think what sparked it was our neighbours Yellow Lab named Telly. She was an outdoor dog and she followed me everywhere and was very protective of me too. I remember going tobogganing in the winter and she always use to follow me and bark and growl at anyone that came near us. She always came and hungout with me when I went outside to play. I didn't have a dog at the time and I just loved her sooo much and wished she were mine! I am a total dog nut, I have a Systems Analyst Diploma but I work with dogs at a boarding kennel. LOL Every second of the day at work reminds me of why I love dogs so much! My dog Magic reminds me everyday why I love dogs so much, I think she is what made me want to work with dogs. She gave me A LOT of experience too, you know I have yet to find a more crazy dog than Magic at work.

Blitz is not a showline GSD why do you want to train him to stack?

He got a male puppy and named him Laddie. Whe n I was young every time I stayed over at my grandmother

What do you mean by "sucking?" Do you mean chewing and licking? It could be a number of things, I would take her to the vet to find out. It could be allergies like food allergies, seasonal allergies, allergies to something in your home, fleas and other parasites. It could be obsessive compulsive behaviour or self-mutilation due to stress or frustration, a lack of exercise or mental stimulation. It could be any thing but the vet would be better able to tell you what is causing it rather than trying to guess.

[quote name='kendalyn']I saw that show on Animal Planet tonight too! It was really interesting! I didn't know the differences between the English and American collie. [/quote] :cry: I am so jealous, I don't get Animal Planet. What's the difference between the English and American Collies? Please tell me I didn't see the show. I have a good idea, we should have a topic so that people who get Animal Planet can tell the people that don't get it all about the shows and all the interesting stuff they learned. LOL seriously.... :D

That's cool! Aww why was the Lab called the Lesser Newfoundland? Don't tell Magic but they are tied for my favorite breed with the GSD. I remember reading something that said the dog that starred in "Old Yeller" was adopted from a shelter for only $5!!!!! When my dad was young I think 6 or 7 or 8 oh I don't remember he entered a contest that was run across Canada and the U.S. It was for writing a jingle for Nestle Quick I believe. The prize was one of Lassie's puppies and a trip the the Disney Land in California. My dad along with two other kids won. I wonder what Lassie it was because he was born in 51 and it was in the late 50's he won the pup. The story he told me and the newspaper clippings my grandmother kept for all this time say's it was the Original Lassie??? Does anyone know when the series (I think there was a series - I don't know I wasn't born yet!) was out, what years?

For me, IMO, leaving my dog outside unattended is too dangerous. Not just because she is dog aggressive and if she saw another dog she decided she didn't like, oh boy...but there are a lot of reasons. Cole could be crossing the street and get hit by a car, he could get stolen, if you choose to tie him up he could get tangled and accidentally kill himself - like hang himself. He could get sprayed by a skunk or bitten by a rabid animal, he could run away.... When I was about 8 yrs old (we had a poodle at the time) I was outside with him and the nextdoor neighbours daughters visiting GSD came into our yard bit down on his neck (right in front of me). My parents took him to the vet but he had to be PTS because the damage was beyond repair and he was in too much pain. Anyhow we are here to protect our dogs and I don't think they should be left alone outdoors running wild. You also have to remember that no matter how much we try, and even succeed at domesticating our dogs they are still animals. Cole is not going to think about property perimeter protocols when there is something interesting going on outside of his yard. Conversely what is to stop other animals and people from coming into Cole

You are either a Swan or a Wild Cat personality. But you may also be a Sable personality. That

Definitely not good with children! They are too fragile and will break bones very easily. Recently a Yorkie I knew died when the owner fell and landed on the little dog by her feet. Children have a hard time being delicate and they just can't grasp the repercussions. BTW what is a Mini Yorkie? All Yorkies are mini if you ask me LOL Do you mean a Teacup Yorkie?

eww I saw the weirdo text. It's a very pale yellow that you can only read when you highlight it.

:2gunfire: It just breaks my heart. We've all seen how the GSD breed was ruined. It is happening to the Golden Retriever and Lab right now. Oh look one of his favorite breeds is the Golden :( the most popular breed. I wonder why they are his favorite?... cha ching $$$$$

I play a game with Magic: I make her sit and stay in a room and in another room I hide her toy then I call her to come find it. I usually sit on the BB or do something else while she looks for it. She has an amazing nose and she is a determined little thing - for instance, I can hide it under the couch and when smells it there she will move the couch to get it. We have hardwood floors so it just slides across the room when she pushes it. She's pretty good at it!!! I hid her toy in a cupboard under the TV unit and when she caught the scent from inside she sat there and pawed at it and barked at me to come get it out. They can do this game for hours it's so much fun for them and all you have to do is hide it. It is fun for me too because it just blows me away how well their sense of smell is!

You do have to be a little careful with activities because GSDs won

[quote name='courtnek'][quote]She ended up learning German commands in an attempt to train her stoopit dawg. She said the reason the dog didn't learn obedience was because the dog couldn't understand English, therefore the need to learn to speak to her in German. No joke[/quote] :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ok so what language do they speak in Newfoundland? Maybe if I tried that I could finally get Freebee to respond 100% of the time to recall.... :D[/quote] They speak Newfie! :) psssst I think Newfie is a different language, I can't understand it. :niedowiarek:

I never let Magic outside alone. If I had a fenced yard I probably would just for a pee but watch her from inside.